Malaysia Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA): Difference between revisions
fix more citations (stopped at Government response). still grinding, but it's worth covering. |
m →Enforcement: Correct source for rm10mil fines |
||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Online Safety Act 2025''' ('''Act 866''') is Malaysian legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026, requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users to remove harmful content and implement safety measures.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=Online Safety Act comes into force to protect users |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107212302/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |archive-date=7 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yem |first=Carrine |date=2026-01-01 |title=Online Safety Act Kicks In Effective Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102010829/https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |archive-date=2026-01-02 |website=Business Today}}</ref> The Act targets nine categories of harmful content including child sexual abuse material and financial fraud, with platforms facing fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101142253/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Civil society groups have raised concerns about potential censorship and surveillance, while the government maintains the Act targets platform accountability rather than individual users.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Malaysia: Concerns with the Online Safety Bill 2024 |url=https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810034315/https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> <!-- Note: Article has loooooooooooooooooots of sentences that reiterate the same point. If there was one way it could be improved, it'd be that first --> | The '''Online Safety Act 2025''' ('''Act 866''') is Malaysian legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026, requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users to remove harmful content and implement safety measures.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=Online Safety Act comes into force to protect users |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107212302/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |archive-date=7 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yem |first=Carrine |date=2026-01-01 |title=Online Safety Act Kicks In Effective Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102010829/https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |archive-date=2026-01-02 |website=Business Today}}</ref> The Act targets nine categories of harmful content including child sexual abuse material and financial fraud, with platforms facing fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance. <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101142253/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Civil society groups have raised concerns about potential censorship and surveillance, while the government maintains the Act targets platform accountability rather than individual users.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Malaysia: Concerns with the Online Safety Bill 2024 |url=https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810034315/https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> <!-- Note: Article has loooooooooooooooooots of sentences that reiterate the same point. If there was one way it could be improved, it'd be that first --> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
- Left4Code | - Left4Code | ||
-->The Act has extra-territorial reach, applying to companies outside Malaysia if they provide services within Malaysia and fall under the licensing framework. <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |title=ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2025 - Act 866 |year=2025 |pages=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911161002/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> | -->The Act has extra-territorial reach, applying to companies outside Malaysia if they provide services within Malaysia and fall under the licensing framework. <ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |title=ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2025 - Act 866 |year=2025 |pages=10, 39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911161002/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Affected platforms=== | ===Affected platforms=== | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
===Enforcement=== | ===Enforcement=== | ||
The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-01 |title=Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101125158/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements. | The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-01 |title=Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101125158/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements.<ref name=":4" /> The Act establishes an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to handle grievances related to Commission decisions and enforcement actions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Malaysia Federal Legislation |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-detail.php?act=866&lang=BI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303072544/https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-detail.php?act=866&lang=BI |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> | ||
==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
Malaysia's position on the World Press Freedom Index dropped from 73rd in 2023 to 107th in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about shrinking civic spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128063103/https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |archive-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> Digital rights advocates warned that the Act's implementation occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedom and increasing restrictions on online expression.<ref name=":2" /> | Malaysia's position on the World Press Freedom Index dropped from 73rd in 2023 to 107th in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about shrinking civic spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128063103/https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |archive-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> Digital rights advocates warned that the Act's implementation occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedom and increasing restrictions on online expression.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
Critics argued that the definition of harmful content is broadly worded and open to interpretation, potentially leading platforms to over-censor content to avoid | Critics argued that the definition of harmful content is broadly worded and open to interpretation, potentially leading platforms to over-censor content to avoid the heavy fines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zolkepli |first=Farik |date=2025-12-13 |title=Online Safety Act 2025 welcomed but concerns remain over rights and privacy |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/13/online-safety-act-2025-welcomed-but-concerns-remain-over-rights-and-privacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124093758/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/13/online-safety-act-2025-welcomed-but-concerns-remain-over-right |archive-date=2026-01-24 |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=The Star}}</ref> Legal experts noted that terms like "harmful to society" lack precise legal definitions, creating uncertainty for both platforms and users about what content is permissible.<ref name=":13" /> | ||
===Privacy and surveillance=== | ===Privacy and surveillance=== | ||